What does the Bible say about love thy neighbor?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that we must love our neighbors as ourselves, showing the mercy, truth, and self-giving care that flow from God’s love for us in Christ. Leviticus 19:18 and Mark 12:31 place this command alongside wholehearted love for God, while Matthew 22:36-40 says that the Law and Prophets hang on these two commands. Romans 13:10 teaches that love does no wrong and therefore fulfills the law. This love is not mere sentiment: 1 John 3:18 calls believers to love in deed and truth, and 1 John 4:20-21 warns that professed love for God is false if we hate a brother. Because God loved us first and gave His Son, we gladly extend His grace to others.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Mark 12:31

    The second is like this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

  • 1 John 4:20-21

    [20] If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? [21] This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.

  • Leviticus 19:18

    You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.

  • Matthew 22:39

    A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

  • Matthew 22:36-40

    [36] "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" [37] Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

  • Romans 13:10

    Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

  • 1 John 4:11

    Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.

  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • Matthew 7:12

    Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

  • 1 John 3:18

    My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about love thy neighbor and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about love thy neighbor